First pharmacy in UK to pilot NHS contraceptive implant service

Green Lane Pharmacy in Allerton, Liverpool, is set to become the first pharmacy in the UK to pilot a locally-commissioned NHS contraceptive implant service.

The pharmacy will pilot the service as part of a 12-month scheme to increase access and uptake of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) options and reduce rates of unintended pregnancies in the city.

It is expected to launch in September 2025.

Liverpool City Council has contracted Axess Sexual Health — which provides free sexual health services for Liverpool — to run the service at the pharmacy.

Green Lane Pharmacy was chosen to run the pilot service owing to its close proximity to student accommodation.

Commenting on the pilot service, Alastair Buxton, director of NHS services at Community Pharmacy England, said: “The commissioning of this service is a really positive development, augmenting the existing extensive portfolio of contraceptive and sexual health services that many pharmacies provide.

“Inserting and removing implants will always be a specialist service and its commissioning from a pharmacy is undoubtedly groundbreaking. It will hopefully prompt other councils to consider commissioning such a service where their patients struggle to access LARC implants.”

Sian Davies, regional service manager at Axess Sexual Health, said: “Lack of access to contraception undoubtedly leads to higher rates of unintended pregnancies; it is imperative that our service users have equitable and convenient access to a range of contraceptive methods so they can feel empowered to take control of their contraceptive health.

”Our whole-systems approach means that people can feel safe and comfortable obtaining contraception through the route that works best for them.”

Matthew Ashton, director of public health at Liverpool City Council, commented: “We are delighted to be leading the way nationally with this pioneering pharmacy implant pilot. This is the first time that the implant has been available in a pharmacy in the UK and shows our ambition to improve access and reduce inequalities.

“It is envisioned that other pharmacies across Liverpool will begin to provide the contraceptive implant after the initial pilot phase, and this without doubt demonstrates the power of collaboration between public health, the NHS and community pharmacy, and embeds preventative care closer to where people live.”